U.A. Monitoring Room — Musutafu City, 2:45 PM
In an underground facility hidden beneath U.A., a group of high-ranking individuals sat in the dark.
A super-advanced screen flickered to life, displaying the results of the last hour's test.
[(Rank 1)]
Name: Aoyama Hikaru
Takedowns: 173
Rescues: 23
[(Rank 2)]
Name: Uraraka Ochaco
Takedowns: 93
Rescues: 0
[(Rank 3)]
Name: Katsumi Bakugo
Takedowns: 77
Rescues: 0
[(Rank 4)]
Name: Eijira Kirishima
Takedowns: 68
Rescues: 2
…
"To think we have such high contenders in the top five alone," a lizard-like man spoke from his seat.
"It's surprising indeed," Cementoss agreed. "To think more than four students have over seventy points each… it's astonishing."
He paused.
"Though… I wonder if that's a good thing."
Cementoss' already hooded eyes narrowed further.
"This year's students didn't seem to care about rescuing the injured—even when they were right in front of them."
His gaze shifted to Eijiro Kirishima.
He had personally watched the boy try to balance rescues and takedowns—until he formed an alliance with the current number one.
"But I can't blame them. Youth are easily swayed. That's why it's our duty to show them that violence isn't the only way."
He looked toward Principal Nezu, who appeared to share the same thoughts.
His eyes then drifted to the third-place ranking.
"Katsumi Bakugo… our third-place candidate. A violent strategist—luring in multiple bots and finishing them off with explosive attacks."
He adjusted his posture.
"She'll be a handful. But with the right guidance… she could become something great."
"Above her, with ninety-three points, is Uraraka Ochaco," he continued, taking a sip from his cup.
"A girl with a gravity-type Quirk."
He set the cup down and reviewed her file.
This was information all examinees—and their parents—were required to submit a week prior.
Quirk details. Background. Limitations.
"Here it states… her Zero Gravity allows her to nullify gravity on objects she touches with her fingertips."
He nodded.
"So far, accurate."
"But her weight limit is listed as three to five tons… if she pushes herself."
"That's quite an interesting Quirk for a young hero," Midnight chimed in.
Nezu nodded, flipping through the binder.
"And finally… we have Mr. Hikaru."
A photo appeared on screen—a dark-haired boy.
Another image followed—his middle school record, where his hair was purple.
Height: 5'6
Eye Color: Purple
Hair Color: Black (dyed), natural purple
Quirk Type: Emitter
Quirk Name: Silver Double
"He lives with his divorced mother, who has full custody," Nezu added.
"Would you like to take a look?" he asked, handing the file to Midnight.
She took it.
"Sure… I'd like to see what we have on our star."
She skimmed through it, focusing mainly on the Quirk description.
Then—
Her expression shifted.
"This… only lists a single ability?"
She frowned.
"I assumed he had a chimera-type Quirk—or at least something multi-layered. Cases like that aren't unheard of."
She flipped to the detailed section.
Confusion deepened.
"It says he can only clone himself… and non-living objects he's touching."
…!?
She flipped back and forth.
"Then what about everything else he used?"
Nezu remained silent.
His small eyes fixed on the rankings.
Unreadable.
[(Rank 7)]
Name: Izumi Midoriya
Takedowns: 1
Rescues: 60
…
Did he awaken new abilities recently?
Was it coincidence… that he didn't report them?
Or… is there something else at play?
The image of Aoyama swinging in to save Izumi replayed clearly in his mind.
—
Tsutsumi Heights — Apartment 7, Unit 42 — Musutafu City, 5:01 PM
Later that evening…
Aoyama lay flat on his bed, fresh from a hot shower.
One arm rested behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.
On his way back from U.A., he had withdrawn the money his system deposited into his account—and even bought Ochaco a gift for tomorrow.
His damp hair clung lightly to his forehead.
"…What's a Skin Token?"
SYSTEM RESPONSE
Skin Tokens are newly implemented rewards designed to expand the Character Shop.
They are used in Character Gacha to unlock new character skins.
Aoyama blinked.
"…Wait."
He sat up slightly.
"Skin… gacha?"
SYSTEM RESPONSE
Correct.
You may roll for a random character skin using your token to unlock unavailable skins from various multiversal themes.
"…So you're telling me," Aoyama said slowly, a grin forming, "I can just roll… and become someone else right now?"
SYSTEM RESPONSE
Affirmative.
Additionally, themed tokens based on your current categories:
● Ben 10
● Powerpuff Girls
● My Hero Academia
● Dragon Ball
can be purchased using Action Points during weekly evaluations.
"You mean I can't target those unless I buy specific tokens…" he muttered. "So this is your way of forcing me to stay active."
He leaned forward, fully engaged now.
"…Show me the Skin Gacha."
The room dimmed.
A glowing interface materialized—
A multiversal slot machine, silver and black.
Panels spun with silhouettes from anime, games, movies, and comics.
Select Variant Type:
[Male]
[Female]
"…Male."
Click.
The machine hummed.
Lights flashed.
Then—
He pulled the lever.
SPIN.
SPIN.
SPIN.
Images blurred past:
Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Sora (Kingdom Hearts)
Rintarou Okabe (Steins;Gate)
Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson series)
Link (The Legend of Zelda)
Monkey D. Luffy (pre-timeskip)